No Man’s Sky got its big Path Finder update last week, and one of its most-advertised features is full PS4 Pro support for a 4K experience. Does the new resolution add or detract from the game? The experts at DigitalFoundry recently put the patch to the test.

Within nearly 10 minutes of analysis, the outlet essentially came to one firm conclusion: while 4K on PS4 Pro certainly looks great, it offers too much of a performance dip to be truly worthwhile. Thankfully, a reliable 1080p, 60 fps alternative mode offers a noteworthy improvement that lacks these hiccups.

Read: How To Get & Race Vehicles In ‘No Man’s Sky’ [GUIDE]

It should first be known, however, that 4K support for No Man’s Sky on PS4 Pro isn’t exactly true 4K. Instead, you’re looking at a final maximum resolution of 1800p. That being said, the end results still calculate to a 2.8x increase in pixel output over the standard PS4 version. It’s something players will notice graphically, and it’s great to look at. In fact, even if you don’t have a Pro, it’s said that the game’s new HDR enhancements may offer one of the best examples of the technology to date.

From a visual standpoint, the only apparent drawback to the 4K mode of No Man’s Sky is some of the new shadow effects it highlights. Especially at higher resolutions, these flaws are more noticeable.

The game’s performance at 4K is also pretty lackluster. With an uncapped framerate, you’ll end up with a choppy experience that ranges from the 20s in high-action scenarios all the way to 60 fps when looking up at the sky. You won’t get massive drops constantly, but the sharp peaks and troughs still make for an experience that ultimately feels jittery. Luckily, if you stick to 1080p on a PS4 Pro, you’ll stay locked at 60 fps throughout. In terms of playability, that’s a much more worthwhile tradeoff.

Read: Here’s What’s In The ‘No Man’s Sky’ Path Finder Update

The PS4 Pro patch for No Man’s Sky hardly mirrors the disaster of the original game’s launch. It generally offers a boost on the trumped-up console, and it’s an appreciable one. The forced choice between graphics and performance is unfortunate, but it’s not uncommon in the modern console landscape.

No Man’s Sky is available now on PS4 and PC. PC also received many visual upgrades in its Path Finder Update as well.

Are you enjoying No Man’s Sky on PS4 Pro? Which resolution have you selected? Tell us in the comments section!

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